Variant Equity Buys Bus Co. for $271M

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Variant Equity Buys Bus Co. for $271M
On the Road: Stagecoach operates several bus brands.

An affiliate of Century City-based private equity firm Variant Equity Advisors agreed to purchase the North American division of Stagecoach Group for $271.4 million.

The deal, which includes $207 million in cash and the assumption of $64.4 million in debt as of Oct. 27, with the adjustment for $20 million of dividends paid in November, is expected to close by the end of April, according to a statement released by Scotland-based Stagecoach.

The North America Division, based in Paramus, N.J., provides intercity bus service under the brands Coach USA, Coach Canada and Megabus.com, and has roughly 4,500 employees and more than 2,000 buses and coaches.

“Coach USA has a stellar reputation for delivering safe, reliable travel throughout North America,” said Variant Managing Partner Farhaad Wadia. “We look forward to partnering with the business’ management team to continue driving Coach’s growth under Variant’s ownership.”

Toronto-based RBC Capital Markets acted as financial adviser to Stagecoach, which plans to focus on growth opportunities in the United Kingdom for its bus and rail services.

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